Cycad (Zamia Puertoriquensis) Toxicosis in a Group of Dairy Heifers in Puerto Rico

Abstract

tory parenchymal necrosis and lysis associated with groups of bacteria (probably secondary infection), with focal hemorrhages. Structurally distinct types of schizonts with slender merozoites (Fig. 14) or short stubby merozoites (Fig. 15) were seen. Intestinal coccidiosis was seen in echidna nos. 2, 4, and 5 (Figs. 16-20). Lesions were more severe in the small intestines of echidna nos. 2 and 5 and consisted of desquamation of epithelial cells of glands of Lieberkiihn and surface epithelium, hypertrophy of villous epithelium, and mononuclear cell infiltration in lamina propria. Gamonts and oocysts The intravascular schizonts in the lungs of the echidnas were structurally similar to schizonts of Sarcocystis, particularly of the Sarcocystis species in cattle, sheep, and goats. Some of the schizonts in the liver, lungs, and spleen were difficult to distinguish from tachyzoites of T. gondii. However, T. gondii tachyzoites always divide into 2 by endodyogeny, whereas the extraintestinal protozoa of the echidnas divided into many organisms by schizogony. Acknowledgements. We thank the staff of the Veterinary Research Institute in Melbourne who made 3 of the cases available for examination. were seen in all 3 echidnas. Oocysts were approximately 25 x 20 μm and were unsporulated (Figs. 18-20). Few schizonts were seen only in 1. echidna no. 2. A 45x 25-μm schizont with numerous tiny merozoites in the lamina propria of the small intestine is shown in Fig. 17. Protozoa in the lung and liver of echidna no. 1 did not 2. react to T. gondii, N, caninum, or S. cruzi antisera. Protozoa in extraintestinal tissues of echidnas were un3= identified. Protozoa in the intestines of echidnas in the present study appeared to be structurally similar to the intestinal 4.